Electric arc vacuum melting processes

ABSTRACT

A process for heating or treating metals without substantially contaminating the metal to be heated or treated comprises introducing the metal into an at least partially evacuated chamber and producing an electric arc therein from the arcing surface-forming tip of a nonconsumable electrode to a surface of opposite polarity while fluid cooling the tip to conduct heat flux therefrom and generating a magnetic field adjacent the tip which causes the arc therefrom to move substantially continuously over the arcing surface, thereby preventing the arc spot from dwelling at any point on the arcing surface a sufficient time to raise the temperature at said point to a value at which substantial sublimation or evaporation of material from the arcing surface takes place.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Armin M. Bruning Pittsburgh, Pa. [21] Appl. No. 848,976

[22] Filed Aug. 11,1969

[45] Patented Dec. 21, 1971 [73] Assignee Westinghouse Electric Corporation Pittsburgh, Pa. Original application May 15, 1968, Ser. No. 729,146, now Patent No. 3,505,460, which is a division of Ser. No. 407,332, Oct. 29, 1964 V V Divided and this application Aug. 11, 1969, Ser. No. 848,976

[541 ELECTRIC ARC VACUUM MELTING PROCESSES 4 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl

75/10, 13/9,?5/49, 219/123 [51] lnt.Cl C22d 7/00, 1105b 7/18, C22c 7/00 [50] Field of Search 75/10, 11, 49, 12; 219/122-124; 13/9 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,686,864 8/1954 Wroughton 75/10 R 2,686,865 8/1954 Kelly 75/10 R FOREIGN PATENTS 1,330,535 1963 France Primary Examiner-Winston A. Douglas Assistant ExaminerPeter D. Rosenberg Attorneys-A. T. Stratton, C. L. McHale and M. 1. Hull ABSTRACT: A process for heating or treating metals without substantially contaminating the metal to be heated or treated comprises introducing the metal into an at least partially evacuated chamber and producing an electric arc therein from the arcing surface-forming tip of a nonconsumable electrode to a surface of opposite polarity while fluid cooling the tip to conduct heat flux therefrom and generating a magnetic field adjacent the tip which causes the arc therefrom to move substantially continuously over the arcing surface, thereby preventing the arc spot from dwelling at any point on the arcing surface a sufficient time to raise the temperature at said point to a value at which substantial sublimation or evaporation of material from the arcing surface takes place.

PATENTED 05221 1911 3528.948

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PATENTED BEBZI I971 sum 5 OF 6 VACUUM PUMP PATENTEB UEBZI I971 SHEET 6 BF 6 ZOI 8 G F r u n n O 0 O 0 w 0 0 w 0 0 2 mm W 8 4 l [ARC CURRENT X MAGNETIC FLUX DENSITYJQ ELECTRIC ARC VACUUM MELTING PROCESSES CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a division of copending application Ser. No. 729,146, filed May 15, 1968 for Electric Arc Vacuum Furnace Employing Nonconsumable Electrode, now issued US. Pat. No. 3,505,460, which application Ser. No. 729,146 is a division of copending application Ser. No. 407,332, filed Oct. 29, 1964 for Electric Arc Furnace and Nonconsumable Electrode Suitable For Use Therein."

This invention relates to improvement in electric are heating processes, suitable for ore reduction and many other vacuum furnace applications, and more particularly to a process employing a new and improved nonconsumable electrode the process employing the new and improved nonconsumable electrode also being suitable for practice in a vacuum chamber for heating gases, and offering special advantages when so used.

In the present state of the electric arc furnace art, carbon and graphite electrodes are used for electric arc furnaces of the submerged arc type, the direct arc type and the indirect arc type. In the direct arc furnace the majority of the power input to the furnace is concentrated in an arc spanning between the electrodes and the material to be heated, called the melt. In the indirect arc furnace the arc spans between two electrodes; in this case the material to be heated does not form one of the electrodes as is the case in the direct arc furnace. In the submerged arc furnace, the electrode is submerged in the material to be heated, and the heat input to the bath takes place through resistance heating, as well as through a large number of smail arcs spanning between the electrode and the material to be heated, and between particles of the material itself.

In all of the above cases the carbon or graphite electrode material is used up through oxidation, or sublimination, or chemical action with the material to be heated, or through breakage. For example, a steel melting furnace of the direct arc type employing three graphite electrodes and capable of producing at a rate of tons per hour, will use between 10 and pounds of graphite electrode per ton of steel produced. If the electrode cost is 28 per pound, the cost per hour is about $42.00, or $1,000 per day of furnace operation. Furthermore carbon and graphite electrodes must be constantly replaced as the electrodes are used up. Furnace downtime necessary for adding to the electrode, slipping the electrodes in their holders, or for removing broken pieces of electrode from the furnace can represent a considerable loss of production estimated as 2 percent to 3 percent of the operating time.

It has occurred to others in the past that it would be desira' ble to have an electrode which would not be consumed during the operation of an arc furnace. Some have discarded the idea as unworkable on the theory that it would be impossible to make an electrode which would not soften and ultimately liquify or vaporize, with the 'material of the electrode running down into the furnace and contaminating the melt. Certain attempts to make a nonconsumable electrode have failed because those making the attempt did not realize or understand certain essential relationships which exist and which impose requirements which must be met, these essential relationships relating, generally speaking, to materials and the rate of cooling thereof, the power of the are, and the strength and location of the magnetic field provided to continually move the are.

More specifically, in many instances those attempting to devise a nonconsumable electrode suitable for use in an arc furnace did not recognize the heat transfer problems involved. In some cases too much heat was conducted away from the are, so that no efiicient arc operation was obtained. Even though attempts have been made to use a water cooled electrode in an arc furnace, such for example as in apparatus described in US. Pat. No. 2,871,533 to E. Swanson for Method and Apparatus for Melting and Casting of High Melting Point Metals or Alloys," issued Feb. 3, 1959, these attempts resulted in failure for the reason that the electrode was still burned through or consumed by the are, because the electrode face member providing the arcing surface was not composed of the proper material, or was not of the proper thickness, or both, and the electrode face member was not cooled at a sufficient rate.

In many cases there was no attempt made to move or rotate the arc, with the result that the are quickly burned a hole in the electrode. At a somewhat later period attempts were made to move the are by a magnetic field usually created at some distance from the arc, and the result was that the field at the arcing surface was not sufficiently strong to move the arc at a sufficient speed to prevent loss of surface material from the electrode. in some cases fields were set up but they were not at the proper place with respect to-the arc. Furthermore, consideration was not taken of the fact that an arc is almost always a multiple arc, and that the arc, instead of following one path, follows a number of paths, continually jumping between paths.

I am the first to realize or discover that notwithstandirig the fact that the electric power of an arc furnace may be orders of magnitude greater than that of a gas are heater, a nonconsumable electrode could be devised which would withstand the very severe operating conditions of a furnace.

I provide essential thermal insulation to protect those parts of the electrode into forming the arcing surface from being damaged or destroyed by intense heat of radiation and convection from molten metal and incandescent gases in the furnace.

As for my electrode face member, it is composed of copper, silver, aluminum or other suitable material having high thermal and electrical conductivities, and is water cooled, water being the most convenient fluid for this purpose. I provide magnetic field producing means located near the arcing surface for producing a field to move the are. l accomplish satisfactory operation by providing for adequate heat transfer, by a meticulously proportioned electrode surface of one of the aforementioned materials of a carefully chosen and calculated thickness, with a rate of fluid flow to provide sufficient cooling for the electrode face. I energized my magnetic field producing means sufficiently to set up a field of the necessary strength, and having a needed geometrical relationship with respect to the arcing surface of the electrode face member, so as to move the are continuously at a sufficient speed over and electrode of a sufficient size so that no spot or point on the electrode surface becomes sufficiently heated by continual reappearance of the are at that spot to have the electrode sur face appreciably deteriorate by evaporation or sublimation. The relationship between the speed of movement of the arc, and the material and dimensions of the electrode, will be set forth more fully hereinafter.

My invention is suitable for use in all types of arc furnaces including direct arc furnaces and indirect arc furnaces, and overcomes the disadvantages and limitations of consumable electrodes.

In summary, my invention includes, but is not limited to, an electrode with an arcing surface made of copper, silver, aluminum or similar nonmagnetic material of high heat and electrical conductivity wherein the arc impinging on the electrode is caused to be moved continuously over the electrode sur face. The average temperature of the surface of the electrode is held below the melting point of the material through water cooling of the inner wall of the electrode face member, water being forced through cooling fluid passageways therein. Movement of the are over the electrode surface is effected by a stirring coil mounted inside the electrode near the arcing surface and driving the are over the electrode surface through electromagnetically induced forces. 1 can also use a thin coating of steel or stainless steel a few mils thick and covering the copper of the electrode arcing surface.

These new and improved electric arc furnace utilize my electrode. In my furnaces, water cooling and thermally insulating material are combined to reduce loss of heat through openings in the furnace wall necessary for passage of the electrodes, and in my new and improved vacuum furnace, the complicated apparatus required for continually readjusting the position of a carbon electrode as it is consumed, without destroying the vacuum, is eliminated.

Accordingly, a primary object of the invention is to provide a new and improved electrode for use in an arc furnace offering advantages over any now existing in the art.

Another object is to provide a new and improved electric arc furnace.

Still another object is to provide a new and improved vacuum furnace heated by an electric arc.

An additional object is to provide a new and improved nonconsumable electrode.

A further object is to provide a new and improved electrode in which the arc is moved over the electrode surface by a magnetic field produced in the electrode.

Still a further object is to provide a new and improved nonconsumable electrode in which the arcing surface of the electrode is water cooled.

These and other objects will become more clearly apparent after a study of the following specification, when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross section through a nonconsumable electrode constructed according to my invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates the action of an arc in a nonconsumable electrode;

FIG. 3 shows the motion of the arc of FIG. 2, in greater detail;

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are graphs illustrating the operation of the apparatus of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a new and improved electric arc furnace according to my invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through a new and improved vacuum furnace according to my invention;

FIG. 7 shows a furnace according to my invention utilizing three electrodes energized from a three-phase source;

FIG. 8 is a graph of arc rotational speed as a function of arc current and magnetic flux density.

Reference is made now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals are used throughout to designate like parts, for a more detailed understanding of the invention, and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof.

The essential parts of my electrode, as revealed in the drawing, are (1) an electrode face member adapted for fluid cooling, which is preferably annular in shape and composed of a nonmagnetic material, having high thermal and electrical conductivity; (2) means for setting up a magnetic field of predetermined direction with respect to the arcing surface of the electrode face member and of at least a predetermined strength, the magnetic field producing means being a coil disposed within an electrode; (3) an elongated supporting structure containing means forming passageways for bringing a cooling fluid to the electrode face member and conducting fluid from the face member, at least a portion of the supporting structure being of electrically conductive material electrically connected to the electrode face member, the conductive portion of the supporting structure being adapted to have a source of potential connected thereto to produce an are at the arcing surface of the electrode face member; and (4) heat shield means, including an elongated sleeve or covering, which may be composed of a suitable ceramic, around at least a portion of the supporting structure which would otherwise be exposed to heat of radiation of convection. In my invention as illustrated in FIG. 1 the heat shield forms part of the supporting structure, the fluid conduits also providing some support. The heat shield means further includes enclosing means, which may be composed of a suitable ceramic, closing the central circular space of the annular electrode face member and shielding the central portion of the end of the electrode from heat of radiation and convection from the arc and incandescent gases adjacent thereto.

The supporting structure generally designated 10 is seen to include a preferably cylindrical or annular head or cap member 11 having at least partially closed ends 19 and 20 and preferably composed of metal to which is secured by any convenient means, not shown, an elongated sleeve preferably cylindrical in shape and composed of a highly heat resistant material such for example as a ceramic. Preferably the lower end of the sleeve 12 is threaded at 13 where another threaded portion 14 or threaded extension of the heat resistant sleeve is attached, the threads 13 facilitating the assembly of the electrode, the lower sleeve portion 14 having an axially extending annular lip portion 15, the inner surface of which is threaded at 16, and disposed in threaded engagement therein is an electrode face member generally designated 30, to be described in greater detail hereinafter.

The head or cap portion 11 is seen to have aligned bores 17 and 18 in the upper and lower cover portions 19 and 20 through which passes a conduit 21 composed of copper or other suitable conductive material for bringing a cooling fluid to the electrode face member, and it is seen that conduit 21 has lead 22 connected thereto, the lead being connected to a source of potential to produce the arc, the conduit 21 being electrically connected to the electrode face member, as will be seen hereinafter. Aligned bores 23 and 24 in head end portions 19 and 20 have leads 25 and 26 passing therethrough and insulated therefrom, leads 25 and 26 being adapted to be connected to a suitable source of direct current potential for energizing coil means to set up a magnetic field, as will be explained more fully hereinafter. Aligned bores 27 and 28 have an additional conduit 29 preferably composed of copper or other suitable material passing therethrough for conducting the cooling fluid from the aforementioned electrode face member 30 after heat has been transferred from the face member to the fluid.

The aforementioned 156 face member generally designated 30 is as previously stated in threaded engagement with threads 16 in the extended annular lip portion 15 of ceramic sleeve portion 14. The electrode face member 30 is composed of nonmagnetic material and is preferably composed of copper or other material having a high-thermal conductivity, and is generally annular or ring shaped. The electrode face member has spiral passageways extending therethrough all the way around the electrode face member with conduits 21 and 29 joining the spiral passageways in the electrode face member at positions substantially apart, so that water or other cooling fluid entering the electrode face member from conduit 21 follows two generally semicircular paths to reach the exit conduit 29, it being understood, of course, that each of these generally semicircular paths is spiral in shape, as shown. One of these generally semicircular spiral passageways is shown and is designated 31.

In the construction of the electrode face member the portion shown of the spiral passageway may be formed by a spiral portion of copper tubing 31a similar to that forming conduit 21; the electrode face member may be formed generally after the manner taught in U.S. Pat. No. 3,097,32l to C. E. LeRow, Jr. et al., for High Energy Arc Electrodes," issued July 9, 1963, and assigned to the assignee of the instant invention. The portion of the electrode face member shown at 32 may be snugly fitting semicircular filler rod composed of copper; portion 33 may be a braze, as taught in the aforementioned patent to LeRow, Jr. et al. The outside portion 34 of the electrode face member; which forms the arcing surface, may be cast copper of a carefully calculated or chosen thickness having high-heat conductivity and high-electrical conductivity, or portion 34 may be prepared in any other suitable way.

Conduit 21 is threaded at 210 and in threaded engagement with conduit 31a of the electrode face member to form a fluidtight joint, and conduit 29 is threaded at 29a to form an additional fluidtight threaded connection with conduit 31a of the electrode face member.

During operation, the are 36 takes place between the electrode face member 30 and the melt, not shown for convenience of illustration, the potential to initiate and maintain the arc being supplied to the aforementioned lead 22 and being conducted to the electrode face member by way of conduit 21.

A third major portion of apparatus embodying my invention was stated to be means for setting up a magnetic field of the arcing surface of the electrode face member in a manner to produce substantially continuous movement of the arc in a substantially circular path at a predetermined velocity and prevent the formation of hot spots with resulting metal evaporation from, or burning through of, the electrode face member. I provide a field producing means 40 for producing the aforementioned magnetic field illustrated symbolically by flux lines 44, including an annular coil 41 with a housing 42 having the aforementioned leads 25 and 26 connected thereto for bringing an energizing potential to the coil. Preferably, leads 25 and 26 are connected to a source of direct current potential, and it will be noted that the lines of force of the magnetic field 44 set upby the coil are substantially perpendicular to the current path of the are 36 as well as being transverse to the path of travel of the arc, and the interaction of the arc current and the magnetic field creates a force substantially perpendicular to both the direction of current and the magnetic field, the force being in a direction to cause the arc 36 to rotate substantially continuously around the annular surface of the electrode. An additional portion of my apparatus for setting up the aforementioned magnetic field 44 is an annular yoke member 48 which is composed of ferromagnetic material and which has an extended central portion 49 with a conical surface 50 against which conical surface snugly fits the shaped inner surface of a disc-shaped shield 52 composed of a highly heat resistant material, such as a ceramic. The aforementioned yoke member 48 also has an annular lip portion 54 extending axially and at least partially enclosing the field coil 4!. The use of the yoke member 48 composed of ferromagnetic material as a portion of the magnetic field producing means provides a path of very high permeability for a portion of the magnetic circuit and little of the magnetizing force is employed in setting up a field in the yoke, so that a large portion of the magnetomotive force of the magnetic field is available for setting up a field in the desired location, that is, encircling the electrode face member and providing a field perpendicular to the arc to cause substantially constant force to be applied to the arc which tends to rotate the same. The yoke member 48 has a bore 56 therethrough for the passage of the aforementioned coil leads 25 and 26, and yoke member 48 has bores 57 and 58 therethrough for the passage of the copper conduits 21 and 29. 9As previously stated, conduits 21 and 29 preferably have sections joined as by threading in the areas 21a and 29a thereof to facilitate the assembly of the apparatus, the upper portions of the conduits 21 and 29 being inserted and turned to threaded engagement with spiralled conduit 31a of the electrode face member after the electrode face member 30 has been secured in place by threading at 16.

Fourthly, my invention was stated to include heat shield means, composed of highly heat resistant or refractory material, for shielding the portion of the structure not used for providing an arcing surface on the electrode face member, shielding these portions from the heat of radiation and the heat of convection. To this end, I provide the aforementioned sleeve portions 12 and 14 composed of a highly heat resistant material such as ceramic, such for example as oxides of zirconium, and I provide the aforementioned disc-shaped heat shield member 52 which may be composed of the same ceramic, which supports the coil 41 and which is held in place by the abutting surface 61 of the electrode face member 30. Any suitable means, not shown for convenience of illustration, may be provided for clamping the coil 41 in the position shown if desired.

It will be understood that the supporting structure may be of any desired length, and that if desired a reinforcing sleeve of metal disposed inside of the ceramic sleeve 12 may provide additional firm support for the electrode face member and magnetic field producing means, if additional support is necessary, so long as the metallic portion of the support, not shown for convenience of illustration, is either fluid cooled or substantially completely shielded from heat of radiation and convection from the are 36 and other arcs that are in the furnace, or both.

In summary then, I have provided a nonconsumable electrode including an electrode face member composed of conductive material providing an arcing surface and having a cooling fluid flowing therethrough, and magnetic field producing means including a coil disposed near the electrode face member and producing, when energized, a magnetic field which causes the are 36 from the arcing surface of the face member to rotate substantially continuously around the annular electrode face member. It will be understood that if direct current energizes the coil 41 and alternating current produces the arc 36, when the polarity of the arc current reverses each cycle, the force on the arc reverses its direction and the direction of arc rotation reverses. In addition, I provide a supporting structure including passageways or conduits 21 and 29 for the flow of a cooling fluid to the electrode face member and the flow of fluid from the electrode face member. The supporting structure is, as stated, at least partially composed of conductive material and has one terminal of a source of potential connected thereto to produce the are 36 at the electrode face member. Further, I provide means in the form of a sleeve or tube composed of a highly heat resistant material such as ceramic, forming part of the supporting structure if desired, for protecting the remainder of the supporting structure from the heat of radiation and convection from the arc, and I provide a disc-shaped heat shield member which prevents heat of radiation and connection from passing through the central circular space of the annular electrode face member and reaching further into the structure and damaging the material or a part thereof.

I have discovered a number of important and in some cases critical relationships which exist in an electrode, and which exist between the electrode and the environment in which it is to be used. These important or critical relationships interrelate the following quantities, both as to their transient and steady state efiects:

l. The electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, thickness, melting point, and evaporation temperature of the material utilized in the electrode face member;

2. Current density of the current in the arc from the electrode;

3. Field strength of the magnetic field setup for rotating the are, as well as the position of the field;

4. The main diameter of the arc path around the annular arcing surface of the electrode, and the width of the surface offering a path for the arc, and hence the area of the electrode surface exposed to heat flux;

5. The type of coolant the pressure of the coolant flowing in and through a cooling passageway or passageways in the electrode, and the velocity or rate of flow of the fluid as well as the temperature of the fluid when entering the electrode, as the final allowable temperature of the fluid as it exits from the electrode.

For simplicity of illustration and description, important or critical relationships in my electrode will be described first with reference to a single hollow electrode operating in an arc furnace where one are takes place between the electrode and a melt of opposite polarity. Changing the fluid passageway form the simple structure of FIG. 2 to the spiral passageway of FIG. 1 does not materially effect certain basic considerations. Where my electrode is used in a three-phase furnace it will be understood that the presence of other arcs in the enclosed furnace may have an influence upon the heat flux which must be removed through any particular electrode.

Certain features of my electrode will first be described with reference to an arc taking place in a furnace in which it is assumed that the heat of convection of gases does not materially increase the heat flux which must be removed by the electrode. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the heat of convection resulting from the movement of gases in a furnace is quite small compared to the heat generated by the are spot plus the heat absorbed by the electrode as a result of radiation from the arc and from the melt, and for this reason considerations of heat of convection may for all practical purposes be neglected in circulating the dimensions of a nonconsumable electrode according to my invention.

Also, the heat generated as a result of PR losses in the electrode itself may be neglected, for even through the current may run into the tens of thousands of amperes I employ in my electrode material of a very high-electrical conductivity, such as copper, and thereby avoid the generation of substantial heat by current flow in the electrode itself.

Two separate and distinct but not unrelated considerations each sets a lower limit on the diameter of the electrode, and for reasons which will appear more clearly hereinafter, in choosing the diameter of the electrode to be employed in practicing my invention, the larger of the two diameters is the diameter selected.

A first minimum diameter for the electrode is set by the melting and evaporation temperatures of the material utilized in the electrode, and by the speed of movement of the are as it rotates around the annular surface of the electrode this speed being a function of both the current in the arc and the strength of the magnetic field, as will be seen more clearly hereinafter.

For arc current magnitudes contemplated, where my electrode is used for are furnace operation, the heat input to the electrode material at the arc contact spot can go to values in the order of 16x10 B.t.u./hr./ft. Local heat fluxes of this order of magnitude cannot be removed from the metallic electrode surface by any known heat removal method or device. If the arc stays at one spot, or moves too slowly, practically instantaneous electrode melting and vaporization occurs. As previously stated, I contemplate the use of copper as one suitable material in forming my electrode, and at the aforementioned heat input level of 16 billion B.t.u./hr./ft. impinging on copper, the copper surface will rise about 3000 F. in about 1 microsecond. If the are spot diameter is about I millimeter, and this is a typical diameter which might normally be encountered in service, it will be seen that the arc must be moving at a velocity of about 3300 ft./sec., which corresponds to a velocity of I million millimeters per sec., or 1 millimeter per microsecond, to prevent the spot remaining at one position on the electrode long enough to cause serious electrode metal deterioration.

It has been known for many years that tremendous heat is generated at an are spot, and that to avoid damage to the material, the arc has to be moved at high velocity. A discussion of this subject may be found in s paper entitled Theory of the Deion Circuit Breaker" presented by .I. Slepian at the convection of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, New York, New York, Jan. 28 to Feb. 1, 1929. I am the first to discover that the principles revealed in the aforementioned Slepian paper may be related to other factors in a nonconsumable electrode, to produce an electrode which will operate in the range of I,000 to 100,000 amperes in the environment of molten metals for many hours without being destroyed.

In the construction of my electrode, as previously stated, a minimum speed of movement, or velocity, of the are spot is required so as not to cause damage to the electrode. It must next be decided what the minimum diameter of the electrode may be, based on this consideration alone, so that there will be no overheating if the same electrode location is hit again by the are after the arc has moved one revolution around one electrode. It being recalled that the arc is highly erratic and jumps and changes its path at random, it will be apparent that where the electrode provides an average arc contact area, for example, 1 inch in width, the mathematical probability of the arc hitting the exact same I millimeter wide spot on the next revolution is rather small, but it will also be apparent that the mathematical probability of the arc hitting the same spot on at least some of its revolutions after only one revolution is almost a certainty, and in choosing the diameter of the electrode the choice is based upon the assumption that the are spot may and will return to the exact position on the next revolution, no other assumption being feasible or possible. For the case of the aforementioned copper electrode with heat flux of 16 billion B.t.u./hr./ft. and an arc velocity of 3300 ft./sec., the temperature of a spot or point on the surface of the electrode which the arc has moved across will drop to a safe value in about microseconds. In, for example, I15 microseconds, the temperature will drop in the order of 2800 F. In 100 microseconds the arc will travel about 4.0 inches at the aforementioned velocity of 3300 ft./sec., and it is accordingly seen that if the electrode diameter in inches is thus at least 4.0/11, electrode damage due to relocating of the arc on the same electrode spot is not likely to occur. Under the illustrated conditions then the electrode must be at least 1.3 inches in diameter. This is the minimum diameter of the arc path; preferably the electrode has a greater diameter to afford an arc path of some width.

Particular reference is made now to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C. These are drawn to approximately similar time scales, and represent arc velocities of approximately 3300 ft./sec.; 2900 ft./sec.; and 4400 ft./sec., respectively. In FIG. 4A it is assumed that the electrode surface is at an average temperature corresponding to 9 and that a particular spot on the surface has a temperature 6, somewhat greater than 6 due to passage of the are over the spot on some previous revolution. As will become more clearly apparent hereinafter, the average temperature of the electrode is determined in part by the current in the arc. Assuming for example a current of 20,000 amperes and a voltage drop at the electrode at 20 volts, 400 kilowatts of heat flux due to integrated are spot losses must be removed. In addition, radiation loss from the metal, and radiation loss from the arc will add to the heat flux which has to be removed. A certain temperature drop will take place between the arcing surface and the surface of the inner passageway through which the water flows. For a copper arcing surface one-eighth inch in thickness, the temperature drop may be of the order of 500 F., and it will be readily understood that when this heat is transferred to the cooling medium, for example, water, the temperature of the water is increased, for example, from l00 F., at entry to an exit temperature of, for example, 200 F. With 200 added to the 500 drop in the copper of the electrode and another possible 200 film drop in the water to transfer heat from copper to water, the minimum average temperature of the electrode arcing surface will be 900 F. Other factors such as heat of radiation, and heat of convection in the presence of other arcs may change the average temperature 6 somewhat.

When, FIG. 4A, where the speed of rotation of the arc is assumed to be 3300 ft./sec., and the arc path diameter about 4hr inches, the arc strikes at a particular spot at time T in one microsecond the surface of the copper at the arc spot rises to a temperature 9 at a time T and in the time interval of I00 microseconds before the arc strikes again at the same spot at time 1",, it is seen that the temperature is returned to the original temperature 9,. At the aforementioned time T the arc strikes again at the same point and in l microsecond the temperature is immediately raised to the temperature 6 at time T the temperature thereafter falling in 100 microseconds to the temperature 6, at time T at which time the arc strikes again and in l microsecond the surface temperature at that spot is raised to temperature 9 at time T,,. The important feature revealed by the somewhat idealized and simplified graph of FIG. 4A is that the arc does not strike again at the same spot until the temperature at that spot has returned to its original value, 9,.

Particular reference is made now to FIG. 4B in which the speed of rotation of the arc is assumed to be reduced somewhat so that 114 microseconds elapses before the arc returns to the same spot, corresponding substantially to a speed of rotation, or velocity, of 2900 ft./sec. Under these operating conditions, assuming again that at time T, when the are first strikes a particular spot, the electrode surface at the spot is at a temperature corresponding to 6,, in 1.14 microseconds, the time which it takes an arc spot 1 millimeter in diameter to move across any point on the electrode surface, the temperature is raised to 6,, at time T,,. It is noted that temperature 6,, is greater in value than temperature 6, because the are spot now remains longer in one position on the electrode surface. Thereafter the surface temperature subsides in 114 microseconds to a temperature 6,, at time T at which time the arc strikes again raising the temperature to a temperature 6,, at time T,,,, it being observed that 6,, is somewhat more than temperature 6 the temperature at the arc spot thereafter declining or being reduced again until at time T,, the temperature attains a value 6,, whereupon the arc hits again at the same spot raising the temperature to a value 6,, at time T It is noted that temperature values 6,, and 6,, may be somewhat more than the temperature of 6,, and that temperatures 6,, 6,,,, and 6,, may be progressively more than temperature 6,, and the electrode temperature may reach a value considerably greater than 6,,,, which represents the evaporation temperature of the electrode material. This would normally follow from the relative slopes of the curve between T, and T and between T, and T,,.

it is to be noted that the average temperature 6,, of the arcing surface is not materially affected by the speed of rotation of the arc, the average temperature being mainly determined by the heat flux and other factors, regardless of how rapidly or slowly the arc is rotated.

Particular reference is made now to FIG. 4C, which illustrates temperature conditions when the arc velocity is increased to approximately 4400 ft./sec. and a time interval of only 75 microseconds elapses between the time the arc strikes at one spot and returns to the same spot on the next revolution. Assuming again that 6,, corresponds approximately to the average temperature of the arcing surface, and that a particular spot has a starting temperature of 6,, when the arc strikes at time T on the first strike the instantaneous temperature is raised in 0.75 microseconds to a temperature 6,, at time T It is noted that temperature 6,, is less than 6 the swifter moving arc does not remain on the spot long enough for the first revolution to produce a temperature rise 6, Thereafter the surface at that particular point returns only to temperature 6,, at time T when the arc strikes again. 6,, is greater than 6,; this results from the fact that the electrode surface has only 75 microseconds to cool off before the arc hits again. This time (T the instant temperature is raised to a value 6,, at time T it being noticed that temperature 6,, is greater than temperature 6,,. The are thereafter moves away from the spot and the temperature falls until time 'l, reaching a value 6, when the arc strikes again; this time it is noticed that the arc quickly raises the temperature in 0.75 microsecond to a value 6,, at time T,,,, and that the temperature 6,, is above the evaporation temperature 6,, and accordingly material deterioration of the electrode quickly occurs.

In summary, once the critical arc velocity is established for a given material and length of the path the arc travels, the velocity should not be substantially increased or decreased without possible damage to the electrode. If the velocity is increased, the arc returns to the same spot too soon; if the velocity is decreased, the arc remains on any spot too long. It will be understood that the time factor in the graphs is compressed; the effects shown as happening in three revolutions may in fact require many revolutions of the arc to be produced. It should also be mentioned that there can exist multiple arc contact spots with a single main arc and that under these circumstances, that is, with multiple arc contact spots the chance of repeatedly rehitting the same electrode area with an arc is greatly increased.

Particular reference is made now to FIG. 2 in which the reference numeral 301 indicates an annular electrode having an annular cross section with a cooling passageway 302 therein. The arc is designated 303, and it is seen that the are divides and strikes at two spots 304 and 305, the spots respectively following paths 306 and 306' generally. The mean diameter of the path may be selected, for purposes of computation, as the path of smaller diameter. The magnetic field transverse to the electrode surface and transverse to the direction of the arc is indicated by lines of force 308.

Particular reference is made now to FIG. 3. A portion of the electrode is shown at 301, the coolant being shown at 311, the arc being shown at 303 taking place to the melt 312, the electrode arcing surface having a layer of a partially solidified material of vapor from the melt deposited thereon, this being designated 314. The layer or carapace 314 is the normal result of operation of the electrode close to the melt of a furnace.

So far only the transient overheating from the arc spot on the electrode has been set forth. It has been shown that to prevent electrode overheating and the evaporation of material, the arc has to be moved at a high velocity. During arc spot movement only a thin layer of electrode metal is brought temporarily to a high temperature; for electrode material such as copper, a thickness of 0.05 inch is adequate from transient heating considerations.

However, it is also necessary to remove the integrated heat flux impinging on the electrode area. For an arc current of 20,000 amperes, an electrode would have to remove in the order of 400 kw. of integrated arc spot losses. It has been found in practice that heat removal rates of 20 kw./in. are near the maximum which can be obtained, and thus an effective minimum electrode arcing area of 20 square inches would be required. Calculations of an arc diameter to provide 20 square inches of arcing surface area indicate that an annular electrode with an outer radius of 4 inches and an inner radius of 3 inches would provide approximately 20 square inches of arcing surface and would provide a mean arcing path approximately 22 inches in circumference, or 22 inches in length.

If the thickness of the copper between the electrode arcing surface area and the water cooled rear face, that is, the inner surface of the inner passageway through which the water flows, is one-eighth of an inch, the temperature drop through copper at 20 kw./in. would be about 500 F., representing a temperature differential of this amount (500 F.) between the arcing surface and the inner wall of the fluid passageway. As previously stated, the temperature rise in the water, and the film drop to effect copper to water heat transfer would contribute to the average arcing surface temperature, making it in the neighborhood of 900 F.

In accordance with previous statements, there is required then, an electrode which is 8 inches in diameter and has an annular arcing surface approximately 1 inch in width. As a general rule, in electrodes to be used in furnaces, it is desirable to keep the area or surface of the electrode as small as possible so that a minimum of heat will be lost from the furnace by way of the electrode.

It will further be seen that increasing the electrode diameter to 8 inches, while maintaining an arc velocity of 3300 ft./sec., results in an elapsed time of several hundred microseconds between the time the arc alights on one spot of the electrode surface and returns to the same spot on the next revolution, so that the first condition for the minimum size or minimum diameter of the electrode is met when an electrode is constructed in accordance with the second requirement for diameter and arcing surface area.

i have discovered that a mathematical relationship exists between arc velocity, arc current magnitude, and magnetic field strength, and in accordance with the discovered relationship 1 can calculate the required field strength to obtain an arc velocity adequate to prevent electrode deterioration. l have discovered that the arc velocity is proportional to the square root of the product of arc current magnitude and magnetic field flux density. For example, to obtain an arc velocity of 3,300 ft./sec., and assuming an arc current magnitude of 20,000 amperes, I calculate that a field strength of about 6000 gauss will be required.

The formula I employ is:

where i S=arc velocity (or rotational speed), ft./sec.

k=a constant having a value of 300.

I=arc current, kiloamperes B=magnetic flux density, kilogauss The value of the constant k is arrived at inductively, as a result of many empirical observations and measurements made of an are moving in gas having a density of 0.02 to 0.04 pounds/cu. ft., at a pressure of one atmosphere, and temperatures of 1000 to 2000 Rankine. Such conditions might be encountered in an arc furnace. The value of k varies with variations in gas density.

Particular reference is made now to FIG. 8, which shows a graph based upon many observed are rotational speeds, in which average rotational speed in revolution/sec. is plotted as a function of [arc current X magnetic flux density]", for an electrode mean diameter of approximately three inches.

The value of approximately 6000 gauss as the needed field strength to produce an arc velocity of 3300 ft./sec. for an arc current of 20,000 amperes may also be determined by using the graph of FIG. 8. An electrode 3 inches in diameter has a mean perimeter of approximately 9.5 inches. The required rotational speed is 3300X(l2/9.5 )=4200 rev./sec. It is seen that the curve is linear; by extrapolation to 4200 rev./sec., the needed are current X flux density 2 l l, where are current is in kiloamperes and flux density is in kilogauss. Solving for B, a value of six kilogauss is obtained.

In accordance with the required magnetic field strength and the dimensions of the electrode I accordingly construct a coil having the necessary number of turns of the necessary wire size, the coil being positioned in a predetermined position with respect to the electrode, and I pass through the coil the required current so that the magnetomotive force of the magnetic field, corresponding to N1, is sufficient to set up a magnetic field of the required density or strength in gauss.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, my construction of the electrode recognizes that at high current levels of interest here, in the range of 1,000 to 100, amperes, the arc breaks down into multiple spots, such that the heat density at the are spot does not increase proportional to the total current.

In addition to transient and average heating from the arc spots, my electrode is also capable of operating in the presence of the heat flux from the molten metal. This flux is in the range of 100,000 to 1,000,000 B.t.u./ft. hr. The flux from the molten metal is added to the expected flux from the are spot and the added flux from radiation from the arc and the gases, to obtain the total heat flux which must be removed by way of the cooling fluid of the electrode.

I can also use a thin layer of steel or stainless steel a few mils thick covering the copper arcing surface in the construction of my electrode, the magnetic field coil being suitable positioned so that the presence of magnetic material in or on the electrode face member does not prevent the production of the necessary arc-moving field. If it were attempted to use steel or stainless steel instead of copper to construct the entire electrode face member, the velocity required to prevent are spot damage would have to be higher by factors of 7 and 22 respectively, that is 23,100 and 72,600 ft./sec., respectively, for the are parameters and environmental factors previously described. For stainless steel to produce a temperature drop of only 500 degrees between the arcing surface and the inner wall of the passageway through which cooling fluid flows, the metal would have to be only 0.006-inch thick, which is not acceptable because with such a thin metal sheath between water and arc, the structure would be mechanically inadequate and the slightest damage would result in puncture. In calculating the necessary minimum electrode diameters, if steel or stainless steel were attempted to be used for the entire electrode face member, the respective calculated minimum electrode diameters would have been greater by orders of magnitude because these materials do not cool as rapidly and because the required are velocities would be much higher.

Where a steel coating is applied to copper, temperature drop through the coating is added to the drop through the copper in estimating the average temperature of the arcing surface.

All the numerical results obtained were based on the assumption of an are spot of 1 mm. size with a heat flux of 16 billion B.t.u./hr.ft.. Had a difierent flux and are spot size been assumed, numerical values would have been different but similar conclusions would have been obtained.

As previously stated, very high current arcs tend to form multiple paths. As a result, under normal operating conditions such as those described in connection with FIG. 4A, the point on the arcing surface may be raised by movement of an are spot thereacross to a temperature considerably less than 9 The electrode diameter may be reduced accordingly, or the total are current increased accordingly. The amount that the electrode diameter may be reduced below the calculated minimum diameter, or the total current in the are increased above the calculated value, as a result of multiple arc paths, may be determined experimentally by very simple methods.

Summarizing in the past, nonconsumable electrodes to operate in the range up to 100,000 amperes have not been operable because of a lack of understanding of many of the important and in some cases critical relationships which I have discovered:

I. The material of the electrode and the coolant to be em ployed have been chosen, the rate of flow of the coolant fluid must be sufficiently great and the thickness of the wall of the electrode between the arcing surface and the fluid must be sufficiently small to remove average heat losses.

2. The diameter of the electrode should be maintained sufficiently small so that the heat losses from the furnace are not excessive.

3. The diameter of the electrode must be sufficiently large, in accordance with the magnetic field strength and are current, such that for the current density the electrode material is not evaporated at the electrode surface spot or spots.

4. A magnetic field of sufficient intensity must be provided, in accordance with the size of the electrode and the magnitude of the current, to move the are on the electrode sufficiently fast not to result in electrode material evaporation.

5. A sufficient movement of the arc should be provided to lead to uniform heating of the metal desired to be melted, rather than local evaporation of the molten metal.

6. An appropriate thickness of electrode material must be provided to prevent too high a surface temperature which would oxidize or react with the constituents in the furnace, but sufficiently thick to permit support of mechanical stresses arising from contact with the contents of the furnace.

It will be apparent that in FIGS. 4A-4C, temperatures 9 and 9, may vary within relatively small limits while maintaining sufficient and safe operation of the electrode.

For a fuller understanding of the above described relationships, reference may be had to a work by Warren H. Giedt entitled "Principles of Engineering Heat Transfer, D. Van Nostrand Co. Inc., 1957.

As previously stated, my nonconsumable electrode, while suitable for use in an arc furnace, is also adapted for use in an arc heater generally designated 65, FIG. 9, where the purpose of the apparatus is to heat air or other gas to high temperatures. In accordance with the objectives of the gas arc heater, which is to provide uniformly heated gas, in accordance with the speed of gas flow past the electrodes 66 and 67 or past or through the arc chamber 68 between two electrodes, the velocity of arc movement on the 8 inch diameter electrode necessitated by heat transfer may be increased above the 3,300 ft./sec. utilized in the foregoing calculations and description, where the rate of gas flow past the electrodes is sufficiently great that a greater speed of rotation is desirable to ensure uniform heating of the gases, that is, that the are 69 passes through any given segment of the gas completely to provide for the uniform heating thereof.

There has been provided, then, apparatus well suited to accomplish the aforedescribed objects of the invention. The are is moved substantially continuously in a circular path over the surface of the electrode at a rate sufficient to prevent substantial or prolonged melting of the electrode material at the spot or spots on the electrode surface where the arc impinges; water cooling of the electrode is at a rate adequate to insure a sufficiently low-electrode surface temperature so that when the are again impinges on the same spot the temperature at that spot will not be caused to rise above the melting or evaporation temperature of the electrode material.

it will be understood that electrode face member 30 is preferably composed of nonmagnetic material, copper being preferred.

The electrode of my invention is nonconsumable and has a useful life many orders of magnitude greater than the carbon or graphite electrodes now generally in use. Surface of other polarity" as used in the claims appended hereto includes the melt as well as another electrode, or any other arcing surface, and includes arcs formed while the electrode is energized by direct current, single phase alternating current, or multiphase alternating current.

The electrode may be used with equal facility in vertical or horizontal positions, or at any convenient angles.

Particular reference is made now to FIG. 5. As previously stated, one of the objects of the invention is to provide a new and improved furnace made possible by and utilizing the aforedescribed nonconsumable electrode. In prior art electric furnaces it has frequently been the practice to leave a com siderable space between the outer wall of the electrode and the inner wall of an annular or other shaped bore through the top of the furnace in order to provide the necessary electrical insulation between the electrodes and the metallic shell fonning part of the top of the furnace. These openings have in effect constituted undesirable flues through which a considerable portion of the heat generated in the furnace was lost, and which furthermore made the regulation of the temperature of the furnace difficult, and in some cases, because of the drafts,

made it impossible to obtain substantially uniform heat distribution in the melt. These and other disadvantages followed from the necessary structure of the prior art.

In FIG. 5, my furnace is generally designated 70, having a wall 71 including a metallic shell 73 and an insulating wall portion 74 composed of ceramic or other heat resistant material, and having a bottom 75, the insulating wall 74 being if desired cylindrical in shape and enclosing a furnace chamber generally designated 72. The bottom surface forming the chamber 72 is seen to be curved in cross section, as shown, and the melt 80 may consist of any one of a large number of substances or mixtures in accordance with the use to which the furnace is to be put. Wall portion 74 terminates at its upper edge in an annular surface 78 upon which is mounted a top cover generally designated 76 having a top shell portion 77 of metal or other suitable material and an insulating top portion 79 of thermally insulating material.

For convenience of illustration, two electrodes generally designated 81 and 82 are shown but it should be understood that three electrodes connected to a three phase source of alternating current potential could be employed if desired. If desired, the three electrodes could be placed in a substantially equilateral triangular pattern. Electrodes 81 and 82 extend through annular bores or openings 87 and 88 respectively in the top cover generally designated 76. Electrodes 81 and 82 have electrode face members 83 and 84 respectively, with ceramic tubes or sleeves 95 and 96 and ceramic sleeve extensions 85 and 86 adjacent thereto respectively, in accordance with the description of the nonconsumable electrode of FIG. 1, and the symbolical arcs 91 and 92 are shown taking place between electrodes 81 and 82 and the melt 80, which is conductive to at least a certain degree.

It is seen that the top 76 has two spaced recesses 97 and 98 in the cover, these recesses being circular in shape and in substantial axial alignment with the aforementioned bores or openings 87 and 88 through the cover. In each of these recesses 97 and 98 there is disposed a ring member composed of a highly heat resistant material such as a ceramic, these rings being designated 101 and 102, the rings having annular grooves 115 and 116 therein respectively forming inner portions of reduced thickness 113 and 114 respectively. The ceramic ring 101, which is seen to have an inside diameter such that an annular space of the width of space 89 exists between the outer surface of electrode 81 and the inner surface of the ring, has mounted in the annular groove 115 thereof a water-cooled ring 103 composed of a material which is highly heat conductive, such as copper, having water inlet 105 and water outlet 107 connected thereto at substantially diametrically opposed points to form two semicircular paths for the flow of a cooling fluid through the water-cooled ring. It is seen that the diameter of the ring 103 is such that the inner surface thereof snugly fits the outer surface of the ceramic shell 95 of electrode 81 so that substantially no heat escapes around the electrode.

The water-cooled ring 104 of electrode 82 is shown in cross section, and it is seen that the circular or annular passageway 110 therethrough may be square in cross section if desired, water inlet 106 and outlet 108 communicating with the passageway 110, it being provided that water-cooled ring 104 fits snugly in the annular groove 116. The space 90 may be substantially equal in dimensions to space 89, and it is seen from a study of the water-cooled ring 104 that the inner wall of the ring fits snugly against the-ceramic shell 96 of the electrode 82 so that no heat is lost to atmosphere, heat brought to ring 104 primarily by radiation or convection being transferred to the cooling fluid.

As aforementioned, heat of radiation and convection passes through the annular spaces 89 and 90, which are necessary to provide for free translational movement of the electrodes as the level of the melt changes, requiring adjustment of the axial position of an electrode to maintain a desired distance between melt and electrode face member. This heat of radiation and convection impinges against the water-cooled lower surface of the respective copper ring, and the intense heat thus received by this portion of the ring is transmitted by the fluid passing continuously through the semicircular paths of the ring 104, for example.

Electrodes 81 and 82 are seen to have cap members 119 and 120 respectively electrode 81 having leads 121 and 122 for bringing an energizing potential to the field coil therein, electrode 82 having leads 123 and 124 for bringing an energizing potential to the field coil therein, the electrodes 81 and 82 having fluid inlet conduits 125 and 126 respectively and outlet conduits 127 and 128 respectively.

Aligned apertures 129 and 130, in the metallic shell 77 and the cover portion 79 of thermally insulating material respectively, have disposed therein a flue member 131 containing an adjustable damper 132 with the handle 133 for adjusting the position of the damper.

Rings 103 and 104 may support electrodes 81 and 82 at desired distances from the melt. They are secured or attached to the electrodes, which are thereafter slipped through the cover, the rings resting in grooves 115 and 116.

Ceramic rings 101 and 102 may be thought of as forming heat resistant-linings for the apertures through the cover.

Damper 132 and flue 131 are symbolic and it will be understood that remotely controlled damper apparatus may be provided in a number of convenient and conventional ways.

Material may be fed to the melt through the flue 131, if desired.

Conventional means may be provided for tilting the furnace and opening the furnace when it is desired to pour melt therefrom.

Some of the advantages in simplicity and economy provided by my furnace can be seen by comparing my FIG. 5 with the figure on page 325 of the Metals Handbook, 1948 Edition, published by the American Society for Metals, Cleveland, Ohio, in an article by Soler and Gill entitled The Basic Electric-Arc Process of Steel-Melting." The elaborate electrode holders and motor for electrode control are shown. The electrodes are graphite or amorphous carbon.

Particular reference is made now to FIG. 6, where an embodiment of an improved vacuum furnace employing my new and novel nonconsumable electrode is shown. As will be readily understood, where a consumable electrode composed of carbon or graphite is used in a vacuum furnace, the necessity for constantly readjusting the position of the electrode as the arcing end thereof is consumed, to maintain a substantially constant arc distance between the electrode and the melt, without breaking the seal of the furnace and destroying the vacuum which exists therein imposes great problems and necessitates very complicated structure for positioning the electrode. The nonconsumable electrode of my invention offers apparent advantages since adjustment of the position of the electrode is necessitated, if at all, only when the level of the melt in the furnace changes. This usually occurs only when melt is poured, or material added to the melt. in FIG. 6, the furnace generally designated 140 has an outer metallic shell or wall portion 141 with a flange 142 at the top thereof. The inner wall 143, composed of thermally resistive material, has the bottom thereof curved at 144, the furnace containing a melt 146, the furnace chamber generally designated 148 having disposed therein electrodes generally designated 151 and 152 having electrode face members 153 and 154 with arcs 155 and 156 therefrom respectively to the melt 146. The melt has at least a certain conductivity. Two electrodes are shown for convenience of illustration, but it will be readily understood that three electrodes connected to a three phase source could be employed if desired. Leads 167 and 168 connected to the water conduits shown bring potential and current to the respective electrode face members for forming the respective arcs, leads 167 and 168 corresponding to the energizing leads 117 and 118 ofFIG. 5, and lead 22 of FIG. 1.

The metallic shell 141 and the thermally resistive wall 143 are seen to have aligned openings 158 and 159 therein respectively through which pass the conduit 160 connected to a vacuum pump shown in block form at 161.

The furnace 140 is covered with a top portion generally designated 162, having a metallic shell 163, with an annular flange 164 and a thermally insulating portion 165. Flange 164 has a plurality of bores at spaced intervals around the periphery thereof in alignment with a plurality of bores at spaced intervals around the aforementioned flange 142, in which are disposed a plurality of bolts for securing the top 162 to the remainder of the furnace, two of these bolts being shown at 171 and 172.

In the illustrative embodiment shown, the top generally designated 162 is seen to have a recessed portion 174 with bore 175 therein in alignment with bore 176 in the thermally insulating top portion in which is firmly mounted a pedestal or hollow support column 178, the upper end of the support column or pedestal 178 being threaded, to which is secured a threaded closure member or cap 180. The cap 180 is removable for feeding material into the furnace through the hollow pedestal, whereafter the cap may be secured by threading it to the upper end of the pedestal. Sealing means, such as a rubber gasket or O-ring not shown for convenience of illustration, may be provided for insuring that the interior of the furnace is vacuum sealed. in like manner, a rubber gasket or other sealing means may be disposed between the flanges 164 and 142.

Slidably mounted on the pedestal 178 and having its position adjustable thereon by set screw means 182 is a crossbar 183, having the collar portion 184 slidable on the pedestal 178. Crossbar 183 is seen to have additional collar portions 185 and 186 adapted to snugly fit the electrodes 151 and 152 which, after their position is adjusted as desired, are clamped in place by tightening screws 187 and 188.

Elements 178, 182, 183, 187 and 188 are preferably made of highly heat resistant material, or metal having a very high melting point.

It will be readily understood that any convenient means, not shown, may be provided for exiting the power leads 167 and 168 from the vacuum chamber 148. In like manner, the water inlet and water outlet conduits of the respective electrodes may be taken out of the furnace in any convenient sealed manner, as may be the leads for energizing the field coils adjacent the electrode face members 153 and 154.

It will be readily understood that three pedestals, each corresponding to pedestal 178, may be provided if desired to provide greater freedom for individually adjusting the positions of three electrodes in a three-phase system.

Any convenient means may be provided for tilting the furnace and pouring melt therefrom at the conclusion of the electric arc heating process, or for taking melt therefrom in any other desired manner.

It will be understood that the vacuum pump system of FIG. 6 includes convenient pressure sensing means shown generally at 170, connected to the vacuum pump for regulating the pressure in the chamber 148 at any desired value, in accordance with well-known vacuum technology.

The vacuum furnace in FIG. 6 then illustrates an improved vacuum furnace in which the complicated apparatus for positioning electrodes which are continuously consumed during the heating process, without destroying the vacuum, has been eliminated, the resulting simplification of the structure resulting in a substantial reduction in cost of the vacuum furnace. The expense of eliminating contamination of the melt by material from the electrode, by constructing an electrode made of the same material as that in the furnace, is avoided.

In FIG. 7, three nonconsumable electrodes 201, 202 and 203 are shown connected to a three-phase source 210, forming three arcs 211, 212 and 213 to a melt 220 having at least a certain conductivity.

My invention offers an additional advantage afforded fully by a three-electrode furnace, and to some extent by a single electrode furnace. The arc from my electrode, rotating around the arcing surface reaches substantially all melt material, and it is unnecessary to rotate the melt or to place a stirring coil in the bottom of the furnace.

The invention includes the use of a permanent magnet to set up the magnetic field at the arcing surface of the electrode face member.

The word conductive when used herein and in the claims appended hereto without a modifier means electrically conductive.

Materials for the sleeves 12 and 14 of heat resistant material and member 48 of ferromagnetic material preferably have closely similar temperature coeflicients linear expansion.

Suitable hydraulic insulators, not shown for convenience of illustration, connect conduits 21 and 29, FIG. 1, to the remainder of the fluid system which may include flexible hose, the hydraulic insulators isolating the electrode electrically from the fluid supply apparatus.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, it will be understood that conduits 125, 127, 126 and 128 are electrically insulated from metallic shell 163 at the points where they pass therethrough.

Temperature 9, may be referred to in claims as the safe" temperature, since it is the temperature the arcing surface at a particular point or spot thereon should return to if repeated revolutions of the are are not to result in abnormal and destructive temperature rises.

In the claims, the temperature rise of any point on the arcing surface while the arc spot is moving over it, such as from 9 to 6 in time T to T may be referred to as the instantaneous temperature rise."

1 have described my invention with respect to an annular or ring-shaped electrode, and such a shape permits the maximum length of the arc path while reducing to a minimum the area of the electrode surface exposed to heat flux. However, other configurations are possible, such as an oblate toroid, or an arcing surface bounded by two axially aligned squares of different diameters, or the arcing surface may have a triangular shape.

The term "nonconsumable electrode as employed in certain of the claims appended hereto refers to an electrode constructed according to the teachings of FIGS. l-4 inclusive.

The term deterioration" as employed in certain of the claims appended hereto means any substantial loss of metal resulting from melting, vaporization, or other cause. The term consumed" may have a similar meaning.

I claim as my invention:

1. A process for treating metals without substantially contaminating the metal to be treated which comprises introducing the metal into an evacuated chamber and producing an electric arc therein from a nonconsumable electrode having a fluid cooled tip forming an arcing surface to heat the metal and reduce the metal to a molten state, producing a magnetic field at the arcing surface to substantially continuously move the are around the arcing surface and prevent the arc spot from dwelling at any point on the arcing surface a sufficient time to raise the temperature at said point to a value at which 

2. A process according to claim 1 including the step of shielding the electrode from heat of radiation and convection.
 3. A process according to claim 1 including the step of producing three simultaneous arcs from three nonconsumable electrodes.
 4. A process according to claim 1 in which the degree of vacuum in the chamber is such that one or more of the impurities in the metal to be heated are gassified at the temperature to which the metal is heated. 